2017 COACHES

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2017 Coaches

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Junior Sailing is at the forefront of the sailing. Suitable for parents who want their children to learn the basics of sailing in a fun and safe environment and for those kids with Olympic aspirations!

THE GPYC’S US SAILING Level one certified staff and curriculum are designed to share the love & knowledge of the lifelong sport of sailing with your child in ways to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, general sailing and racing skills in a non-threatening environment. GPYC Junior Sailing welcomes sailors ages 7–18 with any degree of experience, or none at all. We show this commitment by being one of the only Clubs in the Detroit Regional Yacht-Racing Association (DRYA) that supplies boats and equipment as a part of our comprehensive Sailing Program. We accomplish through our greatly appreciated Yachtsman’s Committee comprised of Past-Commodores and Sailing Parents. Our program offerings include:

Started Sailing in 1960 racing Interlakes

470 Sailing 1965

Fireball North American Champion 1968

Thistle Midwinter Champ 1975

2nd at Olympic Trials in 1980 Flying Dutchman

Sailed 45 Port Huron Mackinac Races (254 nm)

Sailed 40 Chicago Mac Races (333 nm)

Raced in 5 Newport to Bermuda Races (667 nm)

Raced in 3 Fort Lauderdale to Jamaica Races

Mediterranean Baltic 45 Race Series (2008-2011)

Raced on numerous boats in North American and World Championships

Sailing professional over 200 days a year

Raced Transpac 2013 on Bretwalda

Raced Cabo 2013 on Bretwalda

Raced puerto Vallarta 2014 on Bretwalda

Two time J 111 North American Champion

Wally Cross has had the pleasure of working at Quantum Sails since 2004. He started building sails in 1973 to pay for college, and over the years has had the opportunities to work with seven different sail making companies before joining Quantum.
During his years in the sailing business, Wally has raced most types of small boats, as well as sailing the Flying Dutchman in the 1980 Olympic Trials. He was involved with the winning boats in many National Championships before shifting his focus to off shore one design boats. He’s participated in six Canada Cups, 25 Key West racing events, over 40 Mackinac races, and hundreds of traveling regattas. Today Wally spends his time racing a variety of boats, including large offshore boats, the Melges 20,24, and 32 classes, and local offshore one designs, like the new J-111 and the Beneteau 36.7.
Wally enjoys mixing his sail making knowledge with all the other pieces of sailing, such as rig, trim, and sail settings, to not only make the boats sail faster, but to help people get the most enjoyment from their boats.

Parker Mitchell brings over 25 years sailing experience to the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Parker grew up on the Pacific shores in Malibu, California and is a third generation sailor. He graduated from Washington College with a BA in Business and Economics and a Minor in Mathematics. While attending college he became an All American Collegiate Sailor.
Parker has countless miles on the water and has participated in the Transpac, Cabo, Puerto Valarta Races among many others. He is a Level 3 US Sailing Coach, and holds CPR/First Aid Certification, RMT Certification, and Open Water Rescue Certification.

My name is Gabrielle Coello and I grew up sailing Optis and 420s out of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. This will be my fourth summer coaching Opti Learn to Sail. I'm looking forward to another season of watching the sailors improve each day! My goal is for every sailor to become comfortable in their own boats and be excited to get out on the water. I just completed my sophomore year at Loyola University Chicago studying biology. I'm excited to be back in Grosse Pointe this summer for another great season with everyone!

Kayla will be entering her sophomore year at Michigan State University as an Elementary Education major. This will be her second year coaching in the DRYA. She has been involved in junior sailing since 2007, and has sailed Optis and 420’s. Kayla spent her four years of high school as a member of the Grosse Pointe South Varsity sailing team. She has also competed in 420 Midwinter Championships, Area E Bemis Semifinals, two US Junior Women's Doubled handed National Championships, and she has completed in two Port Huron to Mackinac races. Kayla is looking forward to a great summer of Junior Sailing at GPYC!